Apply for a national professional qualification (NPQ)

1. Choose an NPQ

Find out about the different NPQ courses courses and and the the early headship coaching offer.. 

If you’re employed, talk to your employer. You may need their approval to take an an NPQ. They may be able to help you choose a course that’s suitable for you and your workplace.workplace. 

Some courses have specific eligibility requirements, so check you’re eligible before you register.register. 

2. Check if you can get fundingfunding 

MostTeachers teachers and schoolschools leaders in many state funded settings in England canwill getbe fundingeligible tofor cover the course fees.

Your workplace may also receive funding to supportcover youtheir to do your NPQ.

Learn aboutcourse funding for NPQsfees. 

3. Find a training providerprovider 

If you’re employed, ask your workplace if they already work with a particular training provider.provider. 

You can also contact providers directly. Refer to the course pages to find which providers offer your course:  

• leading teacher development NPQ 
• leading teaching NPQ teaching 
• leading behaviour and culture NPQ   
• leading literacy NPQ 
• leading primary mathematics NPQ 
• senior leadership NPQ 
• headship NPQ 

• executive leadership NPQ 

• early years leadership NPQ  
• early headship coaching offer  

Alternatively, Alternatively, find your local teaching school hub and and ask them who provides your chosen NPQ in in your area.area. 

Most providers operate throughout England, but your your NPQ will will include some face-to-face sessions that you need to attend in person.person. 

4. Register with with DfE  

You need to to register with with DfE for for your NPQ or or early headship coaching offer.offer. 

This is so that that DfE can can:

• keep your professional record up to date
• date, check and allocate allocate NPQ funding funding
• issue, and issue NPQ certificates

Even if you’re not funded, you still need to register.register. 

5. Apply through your providerprovider 

As well as registering with with DfE, you also need to apply directly to your provider.provider. 

Your provider will send you an application form by email once you’ve registered with with DfE. They will assess your eligibilitysuitability for the course. If your application is successful, they will confirm how your course will be funded. 

6. Start your NPQ  

Once you’ve applied, your provider will tellconfirm whether you have a place on the course and will give you your course start date.date if you’ve been accepted. 

If you pass your NPQ, you can access your teaching qualifications to get your certificate.